This project is a partnership involving the Chicago Public Schools (CPS); the local education agencies of Rockford, Highland Park Township, Joliet, and Meridian; and seven external partners. Seventeen schools will develop, implement, and test character education models for dissemination and replication across the state. The project will focus on improving student academic achievement through instruction in specific character traits, while making a positive impact on students character development and on the perceptions of teachers, parents, and others. The traits are caring, courage, courtesy, justice and fairness, family pride, honesty and truthfulness, kindness and helpfulness, respect, responsibility, work ethic, trustworthiness, and civic virtue and citizenship.

Activities include:

Year I: Select "model schools," provide research and training; form a clearinghouse; create networking initiatives for parents, community members, and business representatives; K12 curriculum designs; and implement a Learn and Serve initiative for high school students.

Year II: Implement and test program models in 10 schools, collect data, and identify teachers to serve as mentors to Year III Partnership schools.

Year III: Replicate the program models in 7 suburban and rural schools that will use school mentorship plans and the 12 identified traits.